Corporal Darryl Gardiner, The Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

Remembering the Fallen: on this day in 2008, Corporal Darryl Gardiner, REME, was killed in Afghanistan. He was serving attached to 5th Regiment Royal Artillery and 52 Brigade's Reconnaissance Force, and was three kilometres north of Musa Qala district centre in Helmand Province when the vehicle he was travelling in hit a roadside mine.

He had deployed to Afghanistan during the previous October. As an armourer he was considered to hold a position which was at the very hub of the Brigade Reconnaissance Force; a superior officer commented that Corporal Gardiner worked miracles with his toolbox as well as proving himself well when under fire. He was also an accomplished parachute instructor and often represented the army in parachute competitions.

Captain James Ashworth paid this tribute: “It is with enormous sadness that we have lost Corporal ‘Daz’ Gardiner. Professionally we have lost a bright and talented soldier who was first class at his job, a man who prided himself on getting things done and who took great pleasure in his work. On a personal level we have lost far more. He showed a rare sensitivity and compassion for others and his warmth of character has been of comfort to many. He has demonstrated an enduring courage and loyalty to his friends and colleagues. Underpinning his quality was desire not to let others down; he never did. It is testament to his character that his last actions were helping others.”